Here are some things you might have missed during the Rams’ 49-21 loss to the Saints in New Orleans on Sunday:
First quarter
The Rams were flagged for excessive celebration on Jared Goff’s first career touchdown pass — 24 yards to Tavon Austin — but there should have been two penalties on the play. Benny Cunningham wasn’t set before the snap, which the officials missed, but they did catch Kenny Britt miming a picture of Austin after the score.
Rams receivers were flagged three times in the quarter, once on each possession, for minus-30 yards.
Second quarter
Kenny Britt’s six-yard touchdown catch was made possible by Brian Quick, who ran out of the slot and into the way of Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro as Britt ran a crossing route from the outside.
The Saints converted two fourth downs into touchdowns. The first came on a 10-yard run by Mark Ingram and the second a one-yard dive by Drew Brees.
After Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines momentarily left the game with an injury, Brees attacked his replacement, Lamarcus Joyner, with a deep pass intended for Michael Thomas. The pass was incomplete but drew a pass-interference call for a 24-yard gain. Eventually, Brees connected with Thomas, dropping a pass into his hands for a touchdown behind two defensive backs.
The 35 points the teams combined for the quarter were the most scored in a Rams game this season.
Goff’s 167 yards passing in the first half were more than he had in his first game, and more than Case Keenum had against the New York Jets (165) in his last game as starter before being replaced by the rookie.
Third quarter
Goff’s first career interception was preceded by an overthrown pass to Britt deep down the field, which could have ended with a touchdown. Instead, on the next play Goff targeted Lance Kendricks in double coverage and saw Vaccaro jump the route for the pick.
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Saints receiver Michael Thomas and Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner get tangeled on a pass play during the third quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 2/26
Rams quarterback Jared Goff is sacked by Saints linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) and defensive end Cameron Jordan during the fourth quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 3/26
Rams receiver Tavon Austin catches the ball for Jared Goff’s first career touchdown pass against Saints defensive back B.W. Webb in the first quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 4/26
Saints quarterback Drew Brees dives over the pile for a on-yard touchdown on fourth down against the Rams during the second quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 5/26
Rams safety T.J. McDonald breaks up a pass intended for Saints receiver Willis Snead in the end zone during the first quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 6/26
Saints runing back Mark Ingram sprints past the Rams defense for a 10-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 7/26
Rams quarterback Jared Goff walks off the field after losing a fumble to the Saints during the second quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 8/26
Saints linebacker Dannell Ellerbe celebrates after sacking Rams quarterback Jared Goff during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Saints receiver Michael Thomas carries Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines into the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 10/26
Rams offensive lineman Rodger Saffold grimaces in pain after hurting his arm.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 11/26
Saints running back Tim Hightower evades Rams defensive back Maurice Alexander to finish off a 50-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Willie Snead during the fourth quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 12/26
Saints receiver Michael Thomas catches a six-yard touchdown pass in front of Rams defenders T.J. McDonald, center, and E.J. Gaines during the second quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 13/26
Saints receiver Michael Thomas catches a six-yard touchdown pass against Rams defenders T.J. McDonald, center, and E.J. Gaines in the second quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 14/26
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald forces Saints quarterback Drew Brees to fumble during a sack in the first quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 15/26
Rams defensive coodinator Gregg Williams calls for a player during the game against his former team.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 16/26
Saints receiver Michael Thomas picks up big yards against the Rams defense.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 17/26
Rams quarterback Jared Goff is forced into an incomplete pass awhile being pressured by Saints linebacker Kasim Edebali during the first quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 18/26
Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree brings down Saints receiver Willie Snead after a reception during the first half.
(Butch Dill / Associated Press) 19/26
Rams quarterback Jared Goff loses a fumble during the first half of a game against the Saints on Nov. 27.
(Bill Feig / Associated Press) 20/26
Rams Coach Jeff Fisher reacts on the sideline during the first half.
(Butch Dill / Associated Press) 21/26
Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Saints free safety Vonn Bell during the second half.
(Bill Feig / Associated Press) 22/26
Saints running back Mark Ingram is congratulated by quarterback Drew Brees after the two connected for a touchdown pass against the Rams in the second half.
(Sean Gardner / Getty Images) 23/26
Rams quarterback Jared Goff is sacked by Saints linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and defensive end Cameron Jordan during the second half.
(Sean Gardner / Getty Images) 24/26
Saints wide receiver Willie Snead (83) throws a touchdown pass to running back Tim Hightower during the second half.
(Butch Dill / Associated Press) 25/26
Rams’ Greg Robinson can only watch as he did not suit up for the game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Saints running back Travaris Cadet is introduced before a game with the Rams.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) The Rams gave up five plays of greater than 20 yards in the third quarter.
Rams receiver Mike Thomas blew an opportunity to recover a muffed punt by the Saints’ Tommylee Lewis on the 19-yard line at the end of the quarter.
Fourth quarter
The Saints also had a player throw his first NFL touchdown pass. Receiver Willie Snead, who played quarterback in high school, hit Tim Hightower with a 50-yard touchdown throw on a “double pass,” the first pass was a long lateral from Brees.
The Rams failed to convert a third down in the second half.
